He takes it out of my hand and closes the box. “It’s way too big and just, ugh. I mean yeah, it’s from a fancy jeweler and technically it’s pretty high class, but I only bought it because I knew that she wanted it. I wouldn’t have bought something so flashy otherwise.” He opens a drawer and throws it inside. “I need to have John return that for me.”
He runs his fingers through his hair and I can tell that he’s frustrated and nervous. “How about you show me your bedroom?”
He smiles, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs. His bedroom is all black and grey. There is no desk here or computer parts. Just a giant platform bed, a dresser and some side tables. Oh, and of course a giant TV. “I know it’s not fancy. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to decorate it, so I didn’t.”
“You don’t have to explain to me. I’m not interested in you for your design skills.”
“Oh, really? What are you interested in me for?” he asks, moving close.
I spend the next few hours showing him a big part of what I am interested in him for. We go back to the hotel and cuddle for the rest of the night before heading to the airport to take the jet back to Vegas. We’re settled with drinks and snacks when Scott reaches into his messenger bag. He turns back to me with a bunch of pens arranged in a bouquet.
“I thought that you would like these better than flowers.” He smiles at me, looking a little bashful.
“You know me so well.” I look at them closer as I take them from him. “Wait, these are from the places we visited in Chicago. Oh my God, thank you Scott.”
“Yep, they are. The plain ones are from Mrs. J’s and the courthouse. They didn’t have any special ones there.”
“You stole me some pens?” I ask laughing.
“No, I asked for them. I promise. I don’t want the bookworm pen police after me.”
I punch him in the arm and then start taking the bouquet apart to look at each pen.
A Water Lilies pen from the Art Institute.
One with the giant Ferris wheel from Navy Pier.
A Nintendo themed one. I look up at him, “From your room?” He nods and I kiss him lightly.
A plain black Bic.
A ship themed one with the logo of the cruise company.
A Windy City Tats silver one with the swirling logo.
A plain blue Papermate.
One from the restaurant we ate at with his family and friends.
A fancy brown one. I quirk an eyebrow at him. “Oh, that one’s from Bobby,” he explains.
Finally, there is one from the W.
“Best. Boyfriend. Ever.” I lean over to kiss him. We make out for the rest of the flight as Velvet keeps herself busy in the front of the plane.
* * *
Scott
We’ve been back from Chicago for two weeks now. I jumped right back in to the software project and Yas has been taking care of things at the bookstore. We alternate our nights between her place and mine and things are as good as ever. My dad and Ryan didn’t want me to stress out about the project in case I had to stay longer for the trial or go back again so they pushed back the release date of the program. Amber was convicted last week and is awaiting sentencing. I am not going back for that. I said all that I had to say. I have a month before the program has to be ready but I’m still on track to have it done in two weeks. I asked to meet with them today at the new Vegas office to talk to them about something that I would like to do.
My dad’s secretary, Angie, shows me into his office where they’re both waiting for me. “Wait, are you Scott? My brother? I think it’s you but between your computer and your girlfriend, I haven’t seen you in a long time,” Ryan jokes.
“Shut up smart ass. We just had dinner with everyone last night.” I punch him in the arm which hurts me more than him. Damn, my brother is built. All that construction work he did for a few years hasn’t worn off, I guess.
“I know but I had to give you shit. I’ve never seen you this way before. It’s actually pretty cool. Yasmin’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah, she is. She’s also the reason that I wanted to talk to you guys today.”
“Is everything alright with her, son?” My dad asks, concerned. My mom and he have really taken to Yasmin and I know they think of her as part of the family already.
“I don’t think so,” I tell them honestly, pulling on my lip ring with my teeth. “I don’t think the bookstore is doing well. She doesn’t really talk about it with me. I offered her money but she said no. So, I have another idea to help her.”
“My opinion of her just increased. I knew she was a good person, but to refuse your money when your relationship is so new and you seem to think that she needs it, just tells me how good she is. You want to give her the program don’t you?” Ryan says.
I look at them both and sigh. “Yes. I know we lowered the price for independent bookstores and agreed to give it to them early but I’m not sure that she can afford it, even at the lower price.” I take a deep breath and continue. “I will have it done in two weeks. I would like to give it to her then, before everyone else.”
I wait anxiously until my dad speaks. “I wish we could, son. But, we can’t show blatant favoritism like that. I am perfectly fine with you giving her it for free, though. That is you giving a gift to your girlfriend.” Ryan nods his agreement.
“Thanks, guys. I knew giving it to her early was a long shot. And, I can pay the fee for the program myself if that would look better.”
“No, it’s fine. You created it and you should be able to have at least one free copy,” Ryan says.
“I just had a thought. We’re having that joint birthday and project completion party for you in three weeks. Why don’t you give it to her then if it’s done? If you ask her not to use it yet, I’m sure that she’ll agree. Do you think she will agree to the program if she wouldn’t take your money?” my dad asks.
“Yeah, I could do that. That would be cool. She is the best present I’ve ever gotten. I hope that she’ll take it. I haven’t talked to her about it. She is not very computer savvy. Do you think Mom would be okay with me inviting her friends that she works with and maybe her other friend, Candi?”
“Are you kidding? You know that your mom loves entertaining, as long as it’s casual and not our business associates.”
“Cool, I’ll call and tell her. Thanks again guys.”
* * *
Yas
I had my meetings with the bank and the private investors. They didn’t go well. It looks like I may have to get a second mortgage after all. Erika and Sam convinced me that I should go that route instead of just selling the house. A part of me thinks that I should’ve taken Scott up on his offer, but I know that I made the right decision by saying no to his money.
Things are going so well with him. He did what he promised and took me to his house. It’s nice to be able to stay over there when we have dinner with his family instead of driving back to my place. His deadline for the project that he’s working on is coming up fast too, so it is easier for him to already be at his place. And next week will be the party to celebrate the completion of his project along with his birthday.
“I can’t believe that I finally get to meet this mystery man of yours,” Erika tells me as she comes in to work.
“He’s not a mystery, Sam has met him. You just keep missing him.”
“I have and he’s pretty hot,” Sam says as she comes out of the back after her shift is over.
“Speaking of hot, why are you taking this Justin guy to the party instead of putting Danny out of misery and going with him?” I ask her.
“Danny doesn’t like me like that.”
“Oh, yes, he does,” Erika tells her. “You just never give him a chance. You always find these jerk guys to date instead.”
“Justin is not a jerk!”
“Umm, yeah he is.”
“Let’s just agree to disagree about Justin,” I say before they start fighting and scare away the few customers that we
have in the store. “But I do wish that you would give Danny a chance. A good guy is not a bad thing.”
“I’ll think about it,” she tells me and then hugs us goodbye.
“So, Sean told me that the company that is doing the computer program has pushed back the launch date for two weeks. The programmer had some personal things to deal with apparently. So, you should get your loan payment before then,” Erika tells me.
“Oh wow. That is good news. I was worried that I would be last to get it which would suck since I’m counting on the extra business you guys think that I will get from the website to help with expenses.”
“Speaking of hot, I saw a picture of the programmer the other day. If I wasn’t in love with Sean, I would have to think of a way to meet him.”
“That good, huh?” I ask. “Good thing I’m in love, too!”
“I don’t know, maybe you could get a free program if you dated him.”
“You know I would never do something like that.”
“I do know that and it is one of the reasons that we are such good friends. You would never think of using someone.”
This Hallmark moment is getting a little intense and Emotional Yasmin is threatening to come out. Thankfully, Alex and Maggie arrive to distract me.
“Hi Yasmin! Hi Erika!” Alex says.
Maggie comes over, too. “It’s good to see you, Erika.”
“You too, Maggie. You know I always think that you look familiar every time I see you.”
“I have one of those faces, I guess.” Maggie turns to me. “Is now a good time to stop by your friend’s bakery to talk about the cake?”
I look to Erika who tells me she will be fine without me for a couple of hours. I grab my purse and we head to Drago Sisters Bakery. My friend Eliza, and her aunt Doreen, help us design the perfect cake for Scott. We go to the party store to pick out a few decorations and then they drop me back at the store.
It’s still slow so I head to my office to work on my present for Scott, telling Erika to call me if she needs me. While we were in Chicago, I decided that I wanted to make him a scrapbook type album of our trip. I covertly gathered napkins and little things from the places that we visited while we were there. I bought some cool video game papers and stickers from Japan through Ebay to use with the pictures from the houses and apartment and they arrived a couple of days ago. I have also kept in contact with Quinn and she sent me some stuff too. I think what I have done is pretty cool and I can’t wait to give it to him.
Chapter 20
Yasmin
Today is Scott’s birthday and I wake him up with my mouth. I’m on my knees between his legs and he has his hands in my hair, thrusting into my mouth as I take him deep. My fist is wrapped around his base, matching the rhythm of my mouth as I bring him to his climax. He jerks up off the bed as he comes. “Fuck Yas. Baby, yes. Shit.”
I move up his body, peppering him with kisses as I go. When I reach his mouth, I tell him, “Happy Birthday, Pretty Boy,” and then kiss him hard. His hands are moving up and down my spine and then grabbing my ass. We make out for an hour or so before taking it further. We actually enjoy making out like teenagers and do it often. I took the day off from work and Scott is done with his project, so we stay in bed all day. I lose count of how many orgasms he gives me and I have to remind him at one point that it’s his birthday and not mine. He laughs and tells me that he likes watching me come so it’s all good.
We finally get out of bed to shower and dress separately. Ever since we got dressed separately for the dinner cruise in Chicago, we’ve been doing it for every date. It’s fun to get ready and then see the look of surprise and appreciation in Scott’s eyes when he sees me. I use the master bath and bedroom and he uses the guest room and bathroom down the hall. I realize that I forgot my new hair clip in my purse so I run out of my room to get it stopping in my tracks as Scott walks out of the bathroom in only a towel. I have seen him in a towel many times, but it never gets old.
“We have to go to the party, Yas,” he reminds me. “You can’t look at me like that.” He sprints into the guest bedroom and slams the door. I break out of my trance and go grab the clip.
I’m wearing another Bettie Page dress. They flatter my figure and I know that I look good. This one is a halter style that is fitted all the way down into a pencil skirt. It is covered in light blue flowers with gold centers and trimmed in black. I do my hair in a 50s style with big curls and waves framing my face and clip the blue flower into the side. I’ve got on black wedges with ankle straps. I clip on the firecracker earrings Scott bought me at the Art Institute and I am ready to go.
Me: Ready?
Scott: Yep.
Me: OK. I’m coming out.
* * *
Scott
Yas walks into the living room and as usual, I have to catch my breath. I have a similar reaction every time I see her, no matter what she’s wearing. But, when she wears those retro dresses, I feel like I’m going to come in my pants like a kid. I am one lucky bastard. I can’t wait to give her the program tonight. I hope that she isn’t too proud to take it. It didn’t cost me any money and since it’s something that I created, I think that she will accept it.
“There are no words for how good you look,” I tell her honestly. That dress has got to be illegal in some states.
“You look good too.” I see her look me over, appreciatively. I dressed up a little, but didn’t go all out. It is my party, after all. I am wearing a blue button down with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, untucked over dark long slacks. I have my combat boots on my feet.
“I told you that you can’t look at me like that,” I growl. We have spent all day in bed and I still want her like we have been apart for weeks. I know that she feels the same way. We can’t get enough of each other.
“I can’t help it,” she insists.
“We better go while we still can.” I drive to my parents’ house in my Mustang, which I had shipped out from Chicago last week. I love my car and since we are settled here in Vegas now, I wanted it with me.
We arrive at the house and head out to the patio where everyone is gathering. Sam is there with some guy, while Danny looks at her like she kicked his puppy. Yas told me that he’s in love with Sam, but she won’t give him a chance. The guy she brought looks like a douche, but I’ll be nice to him. Sam is a cool girl so I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable. Yas’ friend Candi is there too and she’s flirting and laughing with Owen. Hmm, that’s an interesting development.
Yas runs up to my mom and Alex and quickly apologizes. “I am so sorry that I wasn’t here to help decorate.”
“It’s fine, Yasmin. We had it under control. Your friend dropped off the cake earlier, too,” my mom tells her.
“How did it come out?” Yas asks anxiously.
Alex answers her. “It looks so good! You picked the perfect design.”
“You and your grandma helped.”
“We just agreed with you. You designed it. Don’t shortchange yourself,” my mom admonishes her.
“Can I see this amazing cake?” I ask.
“When it’s time. No peeking,” Yas scolds me and turns back to my mom. “We will have to keep him out of the kitchen.”
“I’ll be good. I promise.” I chuckle as I kiss Yas’s temple. “I can’t wait to see what you came up with for me and what’s in that package you’re carrying.”
“After dinner, you can have it all.”
I lean down to her ear. “All? Really? I already had it several times today, but I want it some more.”
She turns red, but whispers back, “You can have it all you want later.”
“I’ll take you up on that,” I tell her and then say loud enough for everyone to hear, “Let’s eat.”
Dinner is great. My mom made all of my favorites and I have fun talking and laughing with everyone. My family makes Yas’ friends feel welcome and included in our conversations. The plates are cleared and we’re waiting for Erika and Sean to
arrive to have the cake. Erika had to close the store and Sean stayed with her.
They’re at the door and my mom and Alex go to start preparing the cake. Yas tells them that she will join them in a few minutes, after she greets her friends. A pretty blonde who I assume is Erika steps through the sliding door first and freezes when she sees me. I’m not sure why she is looking so shocked.
“Whoa, Erika, let a guy know if you are stopping that fast. What happ-.” Sean stops as he sees me too. “You’re Scott Griffin.”
Erika snaps out of it and looks to Yas. “Your Scott is Scott Griffin? Why didn’t you say anything? We have been talking about his computer program for weeks!”
“Computer program? You mean the bookstore one?” Yas looks confused but I am starting to feel uneasy.
“The computer program that you are salivating over, Yasmin?” Justin says. “I know Sam said that you would do anything for it, but fucking a guy to get it is pretty low. I’m impressed.”
Yas’s eyes go wide as she looks at me. “No. I didn’t. I swear I didn’t know. You know that we never talk about work, Scott. I thought your family business was all real estate and architecture. That your program had to do with buildings.” She looks at me with pleading eyes.
I want to believe her, but I can’t. Not again. My heart is splitting apart and I lash out. “That’s why you snuck into my workroom all those weeks ago isn’t it?” I advance on her and she shakes her head, crying. “I trusted you. In fact I was going to give you the program tonight. That’s what you wanted all along. I can’t believe I was so stupid. Again.”
“You weren’t stupid, Scott. I didn’t know. I love you. You know that I love you.”
But in that moment, I don’t.
* * *
Yasmin
“You said that you would never be like Amber, but you’re worse.” I flinch back like he punched me. It feels like he did. My heart just exploded. “You really took your role far. Were you laughing when I offered you money? Were you waiting for the bigger payout? You made me fall for you. I have never felt like that before about anyone and it was all a lie. Again. I must be the dumbest guy on the planet.”
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